All children can benefit from the exercise, energy release, and pure enjoyment of playing sports. Participating in sports can help boost self-confidence, manage weight, and improve skills in relationship building and working as part of a team.

However, there were absolutely no opportunities for children with cognitive and physical disabilities to play soccer in Charlottesville, so we decided to tackle this problem.

In March 2024, Katie Kenny, Zayan Meah, and Tyler Rynne founded Charlottesville TOPSoccer. In partnership with USYS TOPSoccer and the Charlottesville Alliance Sports Club, we are a community-based program designed to bring the opportunity of learning and playing soccer to any boy or girl in Charlottesville who has a mental or physical disability.